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British Overseas Territories

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance he issues to officials from his Department on the grade of official appropriate to conduct meetings and negotiations with senior elected leaders of British Overseas Territories during official visits to the UK. [55791]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: There is no formal guidance. Senior visitors are seen at whatever level is appropriate for the subject to be discussed. This could be the Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories, my noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, the responsible Director, the Head of Department, or the appropriate Desk Officer.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department is giving to British Overseas Territories to negotiate their share of EU regional grants. [55853]

 
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Mr. Douglas Alexander: The UK Overseas Territories (OTs) are not eligible for regional grants from the European Regional Development Fund as they are not full members of the EU. Rather, they are associated to the EU through the UK, their parent" member state, and their access to EU funding is governed by the Council Decision of 27 November 2001 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community (Overseas Association Decision). The main source of funding for the OTs is a specific allocation within the European Development Fund. They are also eligible to benefit from other budget lines and community programmes set out in Annex II E and II F of the Overseas Association Decision.

To give practical support to the UK OTs, my Department has a member of staff whose primary functions are to assist the Territories in accessing EU funding, and to represent their interests at the European Union. In this he works closely with members of the Office of the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the European Union.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2006, Official Report, columns 1449–50W, on elections, if he will seek treaty changes providing for other British overseas territories to become part of the European Union and their citizens to be entitled to vote in European parliamentary elections. [55947]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: No. Gibraltar's position is unique. The implications of extending UK membership of the EU to the other Overseas Territories are very wide-ranging. It would fundamentally affect the relationship between the UK and the Territories. There is no indication that the Territories would welcome this.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to help British overseas territories to gain access to EU markets. [55948]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: The UK Overseas Territories' (OTs) access to EU markets is governed by the Council Decision of 27 November 2001, on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community (Overseas Association Decision"), which was agreed between member states. The Territories were not involved directly in the discussion of the Decision, but were consulted by their parent" member state (the UK). The Decision contains a section dealing with economic and trade co-operation between the overseas territories and the European Community. The Preferential Trade Regime is, we understand, the most beneficial ever granted by the EU in terms of market access.

The Current Decision covers the period 2001–11. The UK OTs will again be consulted when the Decision comes up for review, which we expect to be towards the end of the current period.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that all representatives of British overseas territories are able to place a wreath on the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day. [56503]

 
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Mr. Douglas Alexander: It is the long-standing practice for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to lay a wreath on behalf of all the Overseas Territories. I remain of the view that this is the most appropriate arrangement.

Burundi

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received of possible torture and serious misconduct by government police and intelligence agents in Burundi; and if he will make a statement. [56684]

Ian Pearson: We have received reports of human rights violations, including summary executions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and ill-treatment implicating the national security forces. We have raised our concerns with the Burundian Government. At the Partners Conference in Bujumbura on 28th February, the UK stressed the importance we attach to the promotion and protection of human rights. We continue to monitor the situation closely, including through the United Nations and partners in non-governmental organisations. We will continue to encourage the Burundian Government to respect international humanitarian law and to bring to account those who flout it.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) members and (b) representatives of the Government of Burundi concerning their commitment to establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a special chamber within the Burundian court system to deal with serious violations of international humanitarian law during the civil war; what assistance (i) he has offered and (ii) has been (A) requested and (B) accepted; and if he will make a statement. [56685]

Ian Pearson: The Government fully supports the fight against impunity. We believe proposals put forward last year for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Special Chamber are the best way forward in terms of justice for crimes past and for national reconciliation. The Government of Burundi has sought support from the UN Peacekeeping Mission to Burundi on putting these bodies in place and we understand a UN team will be visiting Burundi to discuss detail with the government. It is not yet clear what technical or financial assistance will be required, but the UK stands ready to help. We continue to raise issues of justice and reconciliation with the Government, and to encourage them to tackle human rights abuses.

Canada

Mr. Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions on the Canadian seal hunt he had with the Canadian Foreign Minister during their recent meeting; and if he will make a statement. [56759]

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not raise the Canadian seal hunt with the Canadian Foreign Minister. However, during an introductory telephone call on Monday 27 February
 
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2006, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry raised the seal hunt with Canadian Minister of International Trade.

Correspondence

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letters from Mr. R. G. Ford, a constituent of the hon. Member for Shrewsbury, of 5 January and 25 February. [55663]

Dr. Howells: UKvisas responded to Mr. Ford's letter of 5 January on 1 March, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) did not receive Mr. Ford's letter until 30 January.

The FCO has not yet received Mr. Ford's letter of 25 February.

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when he will reply to the letters from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, dated 20 January and 3 February requesting him to receive a delegation of Parliamentarians and lawyers representing the British residents detained at Guantanamo Bay; [56908]

(2) when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, requesting a meeting with Parliamentarians and lawyers regarding British residents detained at Guantanamo Bay. [56905]

Mr. Straw: I replied to a letter dated 19 January about Guantanamo Bay on 10 February. There is no record of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office receiving a letter dated 20 January on this subject. A letter dated 30 January on this subject was received and a reply issued on 7 March. The letter dated 3 February was answered on 1 March 2006.

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